The Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu staged a war of aggression against the Ukraine, according to British estimates, increasing as the central figure – also with exaggerated claims of losses on the Ukrainian side. The confidant of President Vladimir Putin apparently wanted in the light of the Ukrainian counter-offensive appear as the leading strategist, the British Ministry of Defense announced. “Shoigu is probably aware of the need to maintain a positive image in the face of increasingly blatant criticism from some compatriots,” the agency said.
Most recently, the minister has commented several times on Russian defense operations, including “almost certainly greatly exaggerated claims about Ukrainian losses.” He also publicly called on the Russian defense industry to redouble its efforts and criticized officials for not sending reserve armored vehicles to the front quickly enough. The public appearances contrasted with other key moments of the war, when Shoigu was not seen, they say.